World Boxing chief apologises for singling out Imane Khelif in sex testing policy
Imane Khelif (Image credit: Instagram)
World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst has issued a formal apology to Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif after she was singled out in a policy announcement regarding mandatory sex testing.
The Algerian boxer, who triumphed at the Paris 2024 Olympics amid eligibility scrutiny, was specifically named in World Boxing's press release last Friday unveiling its new gender verification policy. The move sparked backlash for violating athlete privacy.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
As per an AP report, in a letter addressed to the Algerian Boxing Federation, Van der Vorst acknowledged the mistake, writing, 'I am writing to you all personally to offer a formal and sincere apology for this and acknowledge that her privacy should have been protected.'
Who's that IPL player?
He added that the organisation hoped this gesture would 'show our true respect to you and your athletes.'
World Boxing, which has been provisionally approved to govern boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, introduced a new rule mandating genetic testing from July 1 to verify the sex of all competitors aged 18 and above. The controversial policy aims to ensure fairness in male and female divisions, but has raised ethical and legal concerns.
Arshdeep Singh: The Poet Who Bowls Thunder | Stories from His Father & Coach
Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting were both disqualified by the previous governing body, the IBA, ahead of the 2023 World Championships, but were cleared by the International Olympic Committee to compete in Paris.
Despite the controversy, Khelif is expected to return to the ring this month at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands and plans to defend her Olympic title at LA 2028.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
41 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
LeBron James urged to consider retirement: 'He ain't getting no fifth ring unless he buys one. It ain't happening'
Already 40-years-old, LeBron James is considered to be among the greatest-ever basketball players in history. The veteran hasn't retired yet, and during his glittering career, he has won four NBA championship titles, and even became the leading NBA scorer two years ago. Recently, former NBA player Olden Polynice had some advice for LeBron and urged him to think about retirement. Speaking on a podcast, he said, 'The longevity aspect, I think it's getting a little bit too much now.' 'Because I'm like, dude, what else you want to do? It's time for you to start thinking about retiring. 'He ain't getting no fifth ring unless he buys one. It ain't happening,' he added. LeBron has three Olympic gold medals, and was the Olympics MVP at Paris 2024. He is also the NBA's all-time leading scorer and ranks fourth in all-time NBA career assists and sixth in steals. He also has won four NBA MVP awards, four NBA Finals MVPs, NBA Rookie of the Year, three NBA All-Star Game MVPs. He has also been named an NBA all-star a record 21 times.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Aryna Sabalenka vs Coco Gauff: World's top two square up for the crown at Roland Garros
Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka The Times of India at Roland Garros: Aryna Sabalenka's power is always delineated as the reason for her dominance on the women's tour. Not enough is said about the statuesque Belarusian's fight, the axis on which her blitzkrieg serve and strokes pivot. Coco Gauff, in her second French Open final, where on Saturday she'll take on Sabalenka for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, succinctly summed up her opponent's supremacy – strokes, serve and mentality. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'She can come up with big shots, big winners (anywhere) on the court,' the world No. 2 said. 'Also her mentality, she's a fighter. She's going to stay in the match regardless of the score.' While the 21-year-old American is no stranger to pressure, having played with the weight of expectations for most of her pro career, Sabalenka relishes it. She enjoys being No. 1, and having the target on her back. It's when she flies. Poll Who do you think will win the French Open final between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff? Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff It's too close to call I don't follow tennis The top ranked duo on the WTA Tour — one who arrived on the scene as a teenage prodigy while the other a relatively late bloomer — have split their matches, five apiece. Of their last four meetings, from January 2024, Sabalenka has won three, including the most-recent encounter in Madrid on clay. The 27-year-old's temperament has been tested on and off the court, she has had to deal with serious issues, the most heart-breaking of which was the sudden demise of her father Sergey, in 2019 at the age of 43. A couple of years later she had technical issues with her serve. For much of the 2022 season in which she sent down 428 double faults in 55 matches, Sabalenka was in agony. She had thought the problem with her serve was mental, but was finally able to pin it on biomechanics. Sabalenka didn't take time off to iron the chinks, she played through the storm. 'Trying to go for my shots, be aggressive,' Gauff said, would be key to the final. 'Obviously she has great big shots, she's going to come out aggressive. I have to do my best to counter that. We've had some up-and-down matches (in the past), some that I won in straight sets and vice versa. Anything can happen on Saturday, I'm looking forward to it, and glad to be going up against the World No. 1.' While there isn't much separating the No. 1 and 2 ranked players on service speeds, 197 and 195 kmph, Gauff, who leads the field on double faults, 33 in her six matches, was broken 18 times in the tournament while Sabalenka with 12 double faults has been broken 12 times. If there's a stat that could prove decisive in the final, that's the one. Virat Kohli's love for 'dhaba' food, priority for family & more | RCB bus driver shares stories Sabalenka, in her sixth major final, the first one in a non-hard court Grand Slam, said clay has been her biggest challenge among surfaces. 'My whole life I've been told, it (clay) is not my thing, then I didn't have any confidence,' the three-time major winner said. 'We've (the team) been able to develop my game so much (over the years), I feel really comfortable (now) on this surface and actually enjoy playing on clay. ' While Sabalenka is playing her eighth French Open, the American, who also made finals in Madrid and Rome, is in her sixth. 'For the clay, I got much better physically. It's really important to be physically strong and ready to work for each point on clay. I have more variety on the shots,' Sabalenka said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Tasty but risky: The hidden health costs of viral food trends
Social media has revolutionized our relationship with food. From decadent desserts to sizzling street snacks, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have turned eating into a performance — more about aesthetics and entertainment than nutrition. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But beneath the glossy filters and tempting reels lies a troubling reality: these viral food trends are quietly impacting our health. As a general surgeon and robotic surgery specialist, I'm increasingly treating young adults for conditions once rare at their age — chronic heartburn, bloating, constipation, and even early-stage nutrient deficiencies. Here's what's happening: Eye-catching, gut-harming Many of these viral dishes are packed with salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Regular consumption can lead to obesity, fatty liver disease, hypertension, and early-onset diabetes — all for the sake of a few likes. Late-night binges spell trouble Trending videos that glorify midnight food runs ignore the digestive cost. Eating heavy, greasy, or spicy meals late at night disrupts the body's natural rhythms, triggers acid reflux, and encourages liver fat accumulation. Viral challenges, real dangers Oversized eating challenges and extreme spice contests may seem entertaining, but they carry serious risks — from abdominal pain and nausea to choking hazards and emergency room visits. Sugar Bombs in Disguise Rainbow desserts, bubble teas, and loaded milkshakes often deliver several days' worth of sugar in one sitting. Over time, this overload can quietly damage your liver and lead to insulin resistance. The harmful combo: Alcohol and fried meats This popular pairing may be a hit at parties, but it's a double whammy for your health. Together, alcohol and processed, fried meats promote inflammation and significantly raise the long-term risk of colorectal cancer. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Social media food trends may look exciting, but they rarely align with what your body actually needs. Occasional indulgence is okay — even enjoyable. But if these eating patterns become your norm, they can lead to serious, lasting health consequences. Choose wisely, eat mindfully, and remember: your gut deserves more than a moment of online fame. Dr Subbiah TS, Consultant, Institute of Robotic Surgery, Prashanth Hospitals, Chennai
